Marlene Elizabeth (Golz) Davenport

Loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, October 10, 2025. Marlene was born in Saginaw, Michigan on April 9, 1945 to the late Jack and Ann (Mangutz) Golz. She grew up in Saginaw and graduated from Arthur High School in 1963. On August 6, 1966 she married the love of her life, Samuel Davenport. Marlene was a homemaker and worked on the family farm, where she and Sam raised their 5 children. She enjoyed gatherings with her “Country Neighbors,” a group that started with her friends in Porter Township. She enjoyed playing cards with her sisters on Mondays, family get-togethers, and watching all of her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. Marlene loved road trips, especially visiting Shipshewana and the Amish stores. She loved shopping at thrift stores and stopping at garage sales for those deals that she just had to have. She taught her family how to make her signature dishes of tushkula, stuffing and Miracle Whip cake, but we will never make them as good as mom. Marlene was very proud of every one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marlene is survived by her 5 children, Renee (George) Herrington, Keith (Kristin) Davenport, Sammy (Jill) Davenport, Rebecca (Ray) LaFrance, and Juston (Melanie) Davenport; 15 grandchildren, Shelby (Matt), Karli (Maddy), Kyle (Kylee), Conner, Nickales, Lydia, Joshua, Riley, Ivy, Blair, Dylan, Dawson, Mikel, Aubrey, Kinley; 3 great-grandchildren, Colt, Ava, and Lakyn; sisters, Kay Dudek, Rita (Tom) Kirchner; brother Larry (Mary) Golz and sister-in-law Sharon Golz.

Marlene was predeceased by her husband Sam and their son Bryan Joseph; parents, step-father Fred Thompson; and siblings Barb Wargo, John Golz, Frank Golz and brothers-in-law Bob Wargo and Frank Dudek.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Hassan for everything he did to bless us with an extra 4 ½ years. A special thank you to Covenant Hospice for their care and wonderful support.

Marlene’s favorite color was red. Please consider wearing red to her funeral service to honor her memory.

A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at St. John XXIII Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 419 S. Midland Street, Merrill, Michigan 48637. Rev. Fr. Edwin C. Dwyer will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 1:00 p.m., with a lunch to follow the burial. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider: Michigan Dental Association Foundation - Mission of Mercy, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or Covenant Healthcare Foundation.

Arrangements are entrusted to W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 125 E Saginaw St, Merrill, MI 48637. Please share your thoughts and memories of Marlene at the church or by visiting www.casefuneralhome.com.